In its decision, the court confirmed another court’s ruling recognising the right of the writer to live in Spain because her dissident activities against Cuba’s Communist regime prevented her from returning to her country of origin.

Paula, 42, requested residence from Spanish authorities under exceptional circumstances, but officials denied her political asylum. Later she appealed that ruling.

The court found that the documents furnished to it showed that the writer “has carried out different activities that can be characterised as opposition to the Cuban regime, which makes her return to her country of origin without personal risk impossible for her”.

The decision notes that Paula, along with her husband, was in asylum in Austria under the protection of the “Writer in Exile” programme, but she had to leave that country as the climate there was having a “negative effect” on the health of her son.